2. Coach of the Year: Matt Nagy
Could we see the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears square off in yet another category? First-year head coach Matt Nagy definitely has a say for being the coach of the year.
Before making a case for Nagy, the award should be explained. This is not the award for the best coach in the NFL. Bill Belichick has only won this award three times and has not won it since 2010.
This is the coach that has his team exceed expectations. Everybody loves Sean McVay, and he will get votes for this award. However, a lot of voters will use the mentality that we expected this from the McVay and the Rams this season.
The Chicago Bears picked top ten in the NFL draft last season. Their season win total was 6.5 to start the season. Some are still entirely skeptical of Mitch Trubisky. And yet here are the Chicago Bears, putting together a winning record in year one of Nagy. When thinking purely based off of exceeding expectations, it would be tough to knock off Nagy.
Mike Tomlin turned the Steelers defense around overnight and has his offense humming without Le’Veon Bell. However, the Steelers are always expected to make the playoffs. Frank Reich is another first-year coach making noise, but his record is not as good as Nagy, and he has Andrew Luck.
At this point, Matt Nagy has the best case to win the coach of the year.